The University Green Digital HUB – Empowering the green and digital future

After two years of collaboration, innovation, and hard work, the University Green Digital HUB (UGD-HUB) project has officially concluded, having met all its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and exceeded expectations in many areas. This Erasmus+ funded initiative, which brought together six prominent institutions from across Europe, aimed to develop digital, green, and entrepreneurial (DGE) skills for university students, staff, and startups. 

Bridging the Digital and Green Skills Gap in Higher Education

The University Green Digital HUB was conceived as a response to the growing need for green and digital transformation across industries, a shift emphasized by the European Union’s twin transition goals. With an ever-evolving labor market, it became crucial to equip students and staff with the skills necessary to thrive in a future increasingly driven by digital and green innovations.

At its core, UGD-HUB set out to address this gap by creating a comprehensive framework for the development of digital, green, and entrepreneurial competencies. Throughout the project’s duration, key activities focused on providing university students and staff with the tools and knowledge needed to drive sustainability-focused innovation. This initiative went beyond theoretical education, offering practical support for budding entrepreneurs through startup incubators and intensive training programs.

Key Achievements and Milestones

During the two-year project period, the UGD-HUB project partners, including University of Split (Croatia), Hochschule der Medien (Germany), Entrepreneurship Center Split (Croatia), Universidad de Málaga (Spain), Preneurz.Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Impact Hub Stuttgart (Germany), realized several major milestones that contributed to the project’s success.

1. Creation of the DGE Knowledge Factory

A standout achievement of the project was the development of the DGE Knowledge Factory, an innovative e-learning platform designed to upskill students and staff in digital, green, and entrepreneurial skills. Through this platform, participants were able to access curated courses across digital, green, and entrepreneurial topics. The platform also houses a library of Open Educational Resources (OER), available to all European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and beyond.

2. Training the Trainers for Future Generations

One of the project’s most impactful aspects was its Train-the-Trainer program, which aimed to build the capacity of educators and trainers to deliver high-quality DGE programs. Conducted in Stuttgart, this program helped enhance the skills of 22 trainers and educators, who are now equipped to lead digital and green transformation efforts within their institutions.

3. Launch of the Greenpreneur Startup Factory

In addition to upskilling students and staff, UGD-HUB placed a significant focus on supporting university startups. The Greenpreneur program for green and digital startups, was launched to provide tailored training and mentorship to university entrepreneurs. Through workshops, hackathons, and competitions, the program nurtured 27 promising startups, several of which have already attracted attention from investors and accelerators.

4. Hackathons and International Startup Competitions

To further promote innovation and sustainability, UGD-HUB organized a series of green-oriented hackathons across its partner institutions, gathering over 137 participants from Split, Stuttgart, and Málaga. These events not only spurred creative solutions to sustainability challenges but also culminated in the STup! International Startup Competition, where startups from partner universities pitched their green business ideas to investors and industry experts. Remarkably, several UGD-HUB-supported startups reached the finals, with two of them winning top prizes.

Looking Ahead: A Lasting Legacy

The UGD-HUB project is an example of what can be achieved through transnational collaboration and innovative thinking. By working together, the project’s partners were able to pool their expertise and resources, creating a unique ecosystem of learning and entrepreneurship that will continue to impact European universities long after the project’s official conclusion.

Throughout the project, over 600 students, staff, and university startups benefited from the project activities. 

As the University Green Digital HUB project comes to a close, its activities are far from over. The DGE Knowledge Factory, the Greenpreneur Startup Factory, and the networks formed through this initiative will continue to empower students and staff across Europe, providing them with the skills and tools necessary to thrive in a digital and green future.

For more information on the project and its resources, visit ugd-hub.com.

The “University Green Digital HUB” project lasted for 24 months, and is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program, Key Activity 2: Partnerships for cooperation (for the field of higher education).